Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in The Dalles, OR: $31,357 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in The Dalles, OR earns a median $31,357/year (≈ $15.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in The Dalles's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $30,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in The Dalles, Oregon, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $31,357, a figure that reflects a slight premium compared to the national median of $30,349. Salaries for this profession in the area can range from $24,807 at the 10th percentile to $47,732 at the 90th percentile, showcasing variability based on expertise and specialization. The financial landscape for these roles is shaped by local economic factors and adjustments derived from BLS state-level data. Within the healthcare sector, specialists handling inpatient coding, particularly those certified in CCS, generally command higher compensation than their outpatient CPC colleagues or those involved in risk adjustment and HCC coding, indicating a potential focus on enhancing specialized skills to maximize earnings in The Dalles.
About the The Dalles Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24,807 | $11.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27,776 | $13.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $31,357 | $15.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,333 | $18.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,732 | $22.95 |
Median Salary Position
3.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in The Dalles
In The Dalles, OR, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,925 (2026 est.). At $31,357, the local median is 3.32% above the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in The Dalles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How The Dalles Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
The Dalles median: $31,357/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | The Dalles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $33,826 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | +3.32% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in The Dalles, OR earn a median of $31,357 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.32% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 7.30% below the Oregon state average of $33,826.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
The Dalles has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
The Dalles, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $31,357 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $30,562 — a 2.54% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$27,961
2025 BLS Actual
$30,646
2026 Current Est.
$31,357
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in The Dalles (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $27,961 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,232 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $30,646 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,357 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32,084 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the The Dalles metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $27,961 (2021) to $30,646 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $32,084 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,123 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Dalles metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $24,807 – $27,776 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $27,776 – $31,357 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $31,357 – $39,333 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,333 – $47,732 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in The Dalles
With a modest workforce of just six medical billing and coding specialists operating in The Dalles, the job market presents unique opportunities and challenges. The area's cost of living index stands at 102.6, slightly above the national average, impacting disposable income and overall earning potential. Among local employers, physician group practices and inpatient coding departments tend to offer more competitive salaries than remote coding roles and ambulatory surgery centers. The variation in pay aligns with factors such as specialty certifications (CCS, CPC, CRC) and potential bonuses linked to productivity metrics. To optimize earnings in this market, professionals should consider pursuing additional credentials and staying current with quarterly updates to ICD-10-CM and CPT code sets, while also exploring opportunities within consulting firms and payer coding audit teams that often provide both higher pay and the flexibility of remote work options.
More salary data for The Dalles, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, CPC
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in medical billing. She specializes in outpatient coding for multi-specialty practices.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $30,646 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the The Dalles metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for The Dalles is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical billing and coding specialists (SOC 29-2072).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CPC, a licensed medical billing and coding specialist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov